Filipino American History Month
The Filipino-American Historical Society of Hawai‘i (FAHSOH) normally coordinates several activities promoting Filipino American history throughout the year, as well as commemorating Hawaii's official recognition of Filipino American History Month (FAHM) in October. Recognized on the U.S. continent for several years, FAHM became officially recognized in Hawai‘i in 2008 with the passing of legislation introduced by State Representative Joey Manahan (Kalihi).
FAHSOH's WWI and WWII Exhibits
October 5 through November 22, 2024
Opening presentation and reception, Saturday, October 5, 2024
Salt Lake-Moanalua Public Library, 3225 Salt Lake Blvd, Honolulu
Sakadas and Soldiers: Hawaii's Filipino Americans in WWI (2017)
Our WWI exhibit describes the historically-neglected experiences of Filipino plantation workers who volunteered to defend Hawaii during WWI. Over 4000 Filipinos were recruited to serve in the Hawaiian National Guard in the lead up to and during the war. Their experiences, contribution and legacy have been overlooked by historians, for their story illustrates the first time promises were made and not kept by the United States and Hawaii Territorial governments.
Loyalty and Valor: Hawaii's Filipino and Filipino American Soldiers (2018)
Our WWII exhibit covers the participation of Filipinos in the Philippine Campaign, especially as part of the First and Second Filipino Regiments, and the crucial role Filipinos and Filipino Americans played in liberating the Philippines from Imperial Japan's occupation. Assembled a part of the 2018 Congressional Gold Medal awarded to Filipino WWII veterans, "Loyalty and Valor" is not only a testament to the heroics and sacrifices of Filipinos and Filipino Americans but also, once again, to promises made and not kept by the United States. Funded, in part, by the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project.
Hanapepe Massacre Centennial Commemoration
September 9, 2024
On September 9, 1924, a bloody incident occurred between striking Filipino sugar plantation laborers and local police in Hanapepe, Kauai, resulting in the death of sixteen Filipinos, four policemen and many more wounded. Variously called the Hanapepe Massacre, Hanapepe Riot and the Battle of Hanapepe, the details of the event have been shrouded in controversy. Over the past century a definitive understanding of what had taken place has yet to be established.
In particular, how the incident started and unfolded remain unclear. Also unclear is the extent of the participation and responsibility of labor leader Pablo Manlapit in the incident, for HSPA had already been targeting Manlapit to be expelled from Hawaii.
To commemorate the centennial of the Hanapepe Massacre, FAHSOH partered with the Hawaii State Archives to assist researchers and community historians develop a deeper and broader understanding of the event by scanning and making available online government records related to the Hanapepe Massacre, labor leader Pablo Manlapit and judicial actions. Included are records and correspondence from Governor Wallace Rider Farrington, Attorney General Pau Cases, the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Quasi-Judicial Executive Actions.
Access to these records are on the Hawaii State Archives website:
Quasi-Judicial Executive Actions: Commutations of Sentence, Parole
Quasi-Judicial Executive Actions: Pablo Manlapit
Department of Land and Natural Resources: Filipino Strikers' Camp
Attorney General Pau Case Files: Filipino Plantation Strike, Tampering with Witnesses, Hanapepe Riot
Attorney General Pau Case File: In the Matter of Pablo Manlapit
Governor Wallace Rider Farrington: Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association
Governor Wallace Rider Farrington: Strike, 1924, Filipino Plantation Laborers
BOOK TALK, By Marie Silva Vallejo
Dauntless: The 1st & 2nd Filipino Infantry Regiments, United States Army
Saturday, August 17, 2024
10:00 a.m. - 12 noon
Waipahu Public Library, 94-275 Mokuola Street, Waipahu
The Filipino-American Historical Society of Hawaii (FAHSOH) and the Waipahu Public Library present a book talk by Marie Silva Vallejo, author of Dauntless: the 1st and 2nd Filipino Infantry Regiments, United States Army.
A few hours after the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Imperial Japan invaded and conquered the Philippines, which was America’s symbol of military and colonial power in Asia. Instead of surrendering to Japan many Filipinos formed guerrilla groups to combat the new invaders. Across the Pacific, in the United States and Hawaii, thousands of Filipinos wanted to volunteer to free their native land while defending their new homeland, even as they endured prejudice, discrimination and living in inhospitable conditions. However, they were were initially unable to enlist because of their status as U.S.
Dauntless is the result of a decade of research into the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, the Philippine Archives and interviews Vallejo helped initiate the scanning of Filipino American veterans' records which could be utilized for benefits and awards, such as the Congressional Gold Medal.
Continuing Exhibits
Hawaii Masters of Eskrima (2016)
Building upon the enthusiastic response from 2013's FilAm HistoryFest 2013: Filipino Martial Arts in Hawaii, FAHSOH received a funding from the Hawaii Council for the Humanities to produce a video documentary on Hawaii masters of Filipino martial arts. Included in this project are oral histories of eskrima masters and displays of the martial arts styles associated and perpetuated by the schools.
A Hawaii Masters of Eskrima DVD is being distributed to libraries and is available to the general public. For more information, send email to: fahsoh808@gmail.com.
eFIL: Filipino American Digital Archives and History Center of Hawaii
FAHSOH continues to plan new exhibits and projects during this time, so please come back to this webpage or to our digital archives website for further updates. We wish everyone good health and encourage practicing recommended safety guidelines for yourself, your family and your community. We will get through this pandemic but only by acting as a community.
Exhibit previously on display at Hamilton Library Asian Collection (University of Hawaii at Manoa) and the Hawaii State Library (Honolulu).
Other FAHSOH Activities
Coverage of FAHSOH activities in other years:
[FAHSOH 2023][FAHSOH 2020][FAHSOH 2019] [FAHSOH 2018] [FAHSOH 2017] [FAHSOH 2016] [FAHSOH 2015] [FAHSOH 2014] [FAHSOH 2013] [FAHSOH 2012] [FAHSOH 2011] [FAHSOH 2010] [FAHSOH 2009] [FAHSOH 2008]
eFIL: Filipino American Digital Archives and History Center of Hawaii
Updates of FAHSOH's digital archive project and preservation resources are available on the eFIL website. [link]
